Weebly Website Builder Review: Features, Pricing, Pros & Cons
On February 16, 2025 By newsroom Topic: Online Business Success
1. Overview
- Founded in 2006 at Penn State to help students create online portfolios.
- Acquired by Square in 2018.
- Designed for beginners and small businesses needing simple websites.
2. Who Should Use Weebly
- Best for personal websites, small businesses, and petite eCommerce.
- Features a drag-and-drop editor with minimal coding required.
- Less suitable for complex websites or advanced blogging.
3. Key Features
- Drag & Drop Editor: Easy to move and organize elements.
- Beginner-Friendly Templates: 50+ customizable, responsive templates.
- eCommerce Integration: Build small online stores; payment options include Square, PayPal, and Stripe.
- Video Backgrounds: Add engaging elements to your website.
- SEO Tools: Basic settings like meta descriptions, ALT text, and URL customization.
- App Center: Hundreds of apps to extend functionality.
4. Ease of Use
- Intuitive dashboard with a small learning curve.
- Organized features make it accessible even for beginners.
5. Templates
- Modern and clean designs but limited in variety (~50 templates).
- Templates appear repetitive after customization.
- You can switch templates anytime but lack unique layout options.
6. Design Flexibility
- True drag-and-drop functionality, though elements are placed in predefined positions.
- Rich widget options but may require third-party apps for advanced customization.
7. Mobile Optimization
- Responsive templates automatically adjust to screen size.
- Limited ability to customize mobile views.
- Mobile editing supported via iOS and Android apps.
8. SEO and Blogging
- SEO Features: Editable URLs, meta descriptions, image ALT text, and 301 redirects.
- Limited blogging functionality; adding posts feels like designing a new page, reducing efficiency.
9. eCommerce Integration
- Designed for small stores with customizable product pages and basic shopping cart systems.
- Payment processing through Square, PayPal, or Stripe.
- Advanced eCommerce tools available in higher-tier plans.
10. Pricing Plans
- Free Plan: Limited storage (500MB), Weebly branding, and subdomain use.
- Connect ($6/month): Custom domain connection with ads.
- Pro ($12/month): Unlimited storage, ad removal, basic eCommerce.
- Business ($26/month): Advanced features like tax calculator, coupons, and shipping management.
11. Customer Support
- Detailed documentation and categorized FAQs.
- Support relies heavily on automated bots; response times exceed two days for email inquiries.
12. Pros and Cons
Pros: - Beginner-friendly and easy to use. - Free plan available; competitive pricing. - App center for expanded functionality.
Cons: - Limited mobile site customization. - Templates lack variety. - Slow email support.
13. Real-Life Examples
- Douk Snow UK: Showcase of a minimalist eCommerce design.
- Wall’in: Simple yet effective branding.
- Kikoplastic: Creative and vibrant visual elements.
14. To sum it up
- Ideal for beginners seeking a straightforward website builder with eCommerce potential.
- Not the best for advanced users or those needing robust customization.
- Despite some weaknesses, Weebly is a solid contender among top website builders.
